How to become a water sommelier
Mineral water isn’t comparable to any other drink: H2O is cheaper, has zero calories, and, with a bit of knowledge, as varied as wine. Swide discovers a new course to improve your enjoyment of the source of life.
Mineral water, cradle of human life, and one of the most important sources of salt and minerals, is the healthiest way to purify our body and has no calories. Now the Italian A.D.A.M (Associazione Degustatori Acque Minerali, Mineral Water Tasters Association) is offering courses to become ‘water sommeliers’.
The A.D.A.M course, which have run since 2002, are dedicated in particular to people working in the restaurant industry – but not only. The courses are divided into three levels. The first level focuses on water nourishing and hygienic principles, how to read labels, and how to identify and classify mineral waters, (sources have their own specific mix of salt and gasses.) The second and third levels expand on the basis foundation, with a final exam.
A.D.A.M’s goal is to dignify mineral water, and to develop a H2O culture. To accomplish this mission, the association has created – thanks to the help of nutritionist, doctors, chefs and sommeliers - a Water-List, similar to that of wine. Each label is associated with a specific kind of food; enabling diners to taste the difference between a water recommended for fish and another one that should be associated with meat.
It’s only natural the course is based in Italy, as the sunny nation is the country with the most developed mineral water culture, and where bottled water is as common in Italian fridges as wine.
At mineralwaters.org, one can find 586 Italian water brands, more than the Germany (524), and France (216). The entire U.S.A offers only a surprising 183 brands.
Italians drink 196 litres of water per person each year, third in the world above United Emirates (260 litres) and Mexico (205).
The next A.D.A.M courses will be held on
October 16th-18th 2009- Termatalia - Expourense - Ourense – Spain
October 27th 2009, Foligno, at “Premiata Officina del Gusto” - Piazza Don Minzoni n. 1/3
Giuliano Federico
TAGS: water sommelier mineral water trends online magazine luxury magazine associazione degustatori acque minerali
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